Sunday, November 16, 2014

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - Song Parody

Lately, I've been hearing songs on the radio and have started writing alternative lyrics in my mind (usually having to do with my Ex-Mormon state of mind). It seems to have started just after I wrote the words for "50 Ways to Leave the Mormon."What I've discovered is that after writing 109 LDS hymn parodies, I seem to be running out of ideas in that arena. Obviously, there are a lot more LDS hymns, but the remaining ones aren't really conducive to parodying, at least for me. So now I've started nurturing this other avenue that seems to have opened up in my mind.The below song parody is to a favorite of mine by The Who, adapted to reflect my feelings about finally getting away from Mormonism.

No one knows what it’s like
To be a Mormon,
Except a Mormon
Behind closed doors.

And no one knows
What it’s like to awaken,
To be shaken by seeing all the lies.

Chorus:
But my life is not as empty
As it once appeared to be.
I am peaceful, I’m not lonely,
Not seeking vengeance
Now that I’m free.

No one knows what it’s like
To feel these feelings,
All the lies, to realize.
No one can understand
How I’m feeling,
But I can’t compromise,
No disguise.

Chorus:
But my life is not as empty
As it once appeared to be.
I am peaceful, I’m not lonely,
Not seeking vengeance
Now that I’m free.

Bridge:Though Mormon doctrine may be spouted,

Incessant drivel that makes no sense,
I can smile, think of some good news,
Try not to laugh, that is my defense.
Too long I swallowed all the malarkey,
As they stuffed it down my throat,
A true believer, whatever they told me,
But no more, found the antidote.

No one knows what it’s like
To be a Mormon,
Except a Mormon,
Behind closed doors.

Yes, sadly there is a lot of brainwashing that goes on - and the basic message that if you don't follow Mormonism, you will go to Hell. My father was a big proponent of the "hell" aspect of not walking the strait and narrow. I stuck with Mormonism for 52 years, mainly because I was scared into believing the tripe they dished out. Afraid to leave. But miserable within Mormonism. So glad I got away... I'm happier today than I ever was while I was a Mormon.

I hope Anonymous' son can see his way to get out. It may take a while, but he/she should never lose hope.

About Me

MY EXIT FROM MORMONISM

As a preface to my thoughts about Mormonism (and my exit from my lifelong religion), I would like to share the following quote:

"Well, it's either true or false. If it's false, we're engaged in a great fraud. If it's true, it's the most important thing in the world. Now, that's the whole picture. It is either right or wrong, true or false, fraudulent or true."

President Gordon B. Hinckley,Interview, "The Mormons,"PBS Documentary, April 2007

In essence, after researching the roots of Mormonism, which obviously form its foundation, as well as examining its doctrine in depth, I have concluded that it is a great fraud. Having been born and raised in the Mormon Church, and remaining LDS until my early 50's, facing that realization was very difficult and was not done lightly.

SOME BACKGROUND:In the Summer of 2001, I went on a Mormon Church History Tour. Before going, I decided to do some research so I would know more about what occurred at the key places when we visited them. But that was the beginning of the end for me as I discovered more and more of the sordid history of the Mormon Church. Soon, I began to realize that Joseph Smith made the whole thing up and that the Mormon Church is built on an enormous stack of lies. Sadly, I also began to realize that I had allowed the Mormon Church to pull the wool over my eyes for a very long time. But even with that realization, it took me quite a while longer to finally break away because of how intricately my life was tied up in Mormonism and how long I had been blinded by the lies Mormonism perpetuates (which, of course, is what they are counting on).

But finally, I did break away - and I have now been Mormonism Free since 2004. What I have realized during the ensuing years is that my intellectual curiosity was squelched by Mormonism. Being told to "have faith" and "just believe" was very detrimental to my psyche, particularly since so much made little sense. Trying to rationalize through everything had a negative effect on me as well, making me very confused and uncomfortable. Since that time, I have discovered that these types of feelings are called "cognitive dissonance" (a feeling of discomfort when simultaneously holding two or more conflicting ideas, beliefs, values or emotional reactions). Cognitive dissonance is discussed in greater length in a book I have written which is now available on Kindle. Since leaving Mormonism behind, I have grown so much and have discovered who I really am - and that is a tremendous gift.

As mentioned above, a book I have written is now available on Kindle. My book (entitled "Closing the Door on Mormonism: The AHA!! Moments that Triggered my Awakening") chronicles my very long journey through and away from Mormonism and discussed many of the issues that had plagued me for many years. It also contains some poems that I have written about my views concerning various aspects of Mormonism as well as discussions relative to the issues that led to my decision to eventually disassociate myself from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

In sharing my opinions and the information I have uncovered, it is my hope that I can in some small way help others by offering some insights into issues that many Mormons undoubtedly face in determining whether or not their faith has been misplaced.

For those of you who are thinking, "Oh, those Ex-Mormons - they can leave the church but they just can't seem to leave it alone," I offer this quote:

"Some of you are probably thinking, 'Why don't you just leave them (the Mormons) alone?' So I ask you, if you saw a thirsty man drinking water from a well you knew to be poisoned, would you let him continue to drink or would you guide him to a safe well?" ~Christopher Miller

While I'm sure that active Mormons (TBMs) and the Mormon Church itself would be much happier if people who have left the church kept their opinions to themselves, I cannot do that. If I can help one person to see the lies that are laced throughout Mormonism, then I will feel that my efforts have not been in vain.

As you will note, I have written many LDS Hymn Parodies (to date, 111 and counting), all of which are posted on my other blog - http://exmormonhymnbook.blogspot.com/On that blog, you will also find an alphabetical listing of all the hymn parodies I have written.

﻿Such profound words from an amazing man. With Steve Jobs' death earlier this week, the world lost a real genius, a true visionary who...

James 1:5 Revisited

Mormonism for Mormons

Sadly, most Mormons don't even know the true origins of their religion, its actual history, or what the church really believes. They simply accept what their Mormon leaders tell them and don't do any research on their own. The description on this book should actually read, "Helping cult members learn what non-members and Ex-Mormons already know."

Another bad idea...

MORMONISM SCHISM on FACEBOOK

Favorite Quotes

"The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." ~Gloria Steinem

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.” ~Abraham Lincoln

"Some things that are true are not very useful." Boyd K. Packer

"I have a hard time with historians, because historians idolize the truth." ~Boyd K. Packer

"It's impossible to reach good conclusions with bad information... We're all entitled to our own opinions, but none of us can afford to be wrong in our facts." ~Mort Crim

"...just remember, it's not a lie if you believe it." ~George Costanza (Seinfeld)

Questioning Mormonism?

Time Magazine, Aug. 4, 1997

Newsweek, June 5, 2011

Larry King - Interview with LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley on December 26, 2004